With Travis Kelce in the midst of a slow start to the 2024 season, his teammates are showing support.
Chiefs receivers were spotted wearing shirts featuring images of Kelce before Sunday's game vs. the Chargers as the team looks to remain undefeated.
Kelce, well-known for his consistent dominance as a weapon for Patrick Mahomes, has had a quiet series of games over the past few weeks. However, Kansas City's offense has still been a machine, leading to three victories.
Here's a look at the Chiefs receiver's shirts, what to know about their purpose to honor Kelce and how the tight end has fared to begin the 2024 season.
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Why are the Chiefs wearing Travis Kelce shirts?
During pregame warmups as Kansas City prepared to face a division rival in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon, Rashee Rice and other Chiefs receivers all wore shirts with a graphic of Kelce on them.
Update on the custom Kelce Tshirts- Rashee Rice got them for all the WRs to honor their leader and a guy who has mentored all of them especially Rice. -#chiefs pic.twitter.com/A7NSxtXLeC
— Tracy Wolfson (@tracywolfson) September 29, 2024
While Kelce, now 34 years old, hasn't been dealing with any injuries or off-the-field issues that are slowing him down, his in-game production has dropped off in 2024 so far.
Here's another look at the Kelce shirts that the Chiefs were wearing.
#chiefs WRs wearing
— Tracy Wolfson (@tracywolfson) September 29, 2024
Travis Kelce T-shirts pic.twitter.com/NPco3QKtjz
As one of the top leaders on the team that's been around for all three of the Chiefs' recent Super Bowl wins, Kelce is well-respected in his locker room.
Unfortunately, not too far into the Chiefs vs. Chargers matchup, Rice, one of the players that led the way with wearing Kelce t-shirts, left with an injury.
#Chiefs WR Rashee Rice had to be helped off the field after Patrick Mahomes hit him trying to make a tackle. Appears to be a knee injury for Rice. pic.twitter.com/ejlTNSs8Dg
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 29, 2024
Rice has been a huge part of Kansas City's passing game with Kelce's quiet start this season, and he also stepped up as a leader this week with his pregame shirt honoring the tight end.
It's an unfortunate turn of events for the Chiefs' offense, and Rice's injury status will be a significant storyline moving forward. However, Kelce's improved play will become more essential as Rice deals with the injury.
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Travis Kelce 2024 stats
Kelce is looking to get more involved in Kansas City's offense in Week 4 vs. the Chargers, but so far this season, the Chiefs have relied on other weapons like Rice, Xavier Worthy and RB Isaiah Pacheco, who's also dealing with an injury.
Here's a look at Kelce's game-by-game and total numbers in 2024 so far, with the Chiefs 3-0 through the first few weeks.
| Week | Opponent | Chiefs Result | Receptions | Targets | Rec. yards | TDs |
| 3 | Falcons | W, 22-17 | 4 | 5 | 30 | 0 |
| 2 | Bengals | W, 26-25 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| 1 | Ravens | W, 27-20 | 3 | 4 | 34 | 0 |
| TOTALS: | 8 | 12 | 69 | 0 |
